Take Cover in Firing Line for Bullet Brace

31st August 2018

Mighty sprinter Take Cover is "as good as ever" as he strives to claim back-to-back renewals of the William Hill Beverley Bullet on Saturday.

Trained in South Yorkshire by David Griffiths, the gifted 11-year-old dazzled in the £60,000 Listed sprint 12 months ago when he made all the running in the hands of Tom Queally. Take Cover now attempts to repeat his heroics in the much-coveted William Hill Beverley Bullet, which has attracted 11 stellar speedballs.

The Norcroft Park Stud-owned son of Singspiel has not won this year, but he turned in a huge performance at Goodwood on August 3, when runner-up to Battaash in the Group Two King George Stakes.

He was last seen finishing sixth in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York a week ago, and is reported to have taken those exertions within his stride. Griffiths said: "He won it nicely last year and ran a cracker at York last time. He came out of the Nunthorpe really well and looks as good as ever at home.

"He's the class horse in the race. He's proven at this level and in Group company, with his second at Goodwood in the King George probably as good a run as he's ever produced without winning. He brings the best form into the race and it would be lovely to see him get his nose in front again in a big race like this. Everything has gone well this week and he's as fit as we can have him. We are going to Beverley very confident."

Beverley's seven-race card begins at 1.35pm and also features the £50,000 Beverley Silver Cup Handicap (3.55) over a mile and a quarter.

Starcaster, Delph Crescent, Porth Swtan were all last-time-out scorers, while the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Team Decision has won his last three races for the Godolphin operation. The going at Beverley is currently good to firm, good in places, with occasional sunny spells and a high of 22C forecast for raceday.